Whether you have fallen behind on your bills or are looking to make budgeting a little bit easier, our team is here to offer support.
We work closely with social agencies in the Durham Region to offer assistance to customers experiencing financial hardship and help ease the burden of your monthly utility costs. Disconnection of service is always our last resort and we remain committed to working with our customers to keep their service on.
If you or someone you know are experiencing difficulties managing monthly electricity bills, please consider the following assistance programs.
Disconnection is always our last resort. As final step before disconnection you may be eligible for enrolment in our Arrears Management Program to help manage your outstanding balance and keep your service connected.
Our Arrears Management Program (AMP) allows customers in arrears to avoid disconnection and pay down their outstanding balance over a set period of time.
When you contact our team about setting up a payment plan under AMP:
After applying your security deposit and down payment to the total amount owing, we will calculate your total outstanding balance. This amount will be your new outstanding balance, to be paid off over the length of your new payment arrangement.
The timeline for repayment of your outstanding balance will depend on two factors: the total amount owing compared to your monthly average bill amount and if you qualify for Low-Income Status:
| Amount Owing | Timeline | Timeline (Low-Income Status) |
|---|---|---|
| < Twice Your Average Monthly Bill | 5 Months | 8 Months |
| > Twice Your Average Monthly Bill | 10 Months | 12 Months |
| > Five Times Your Average Monthly Bill | N/A | 16 Months |
Once you enter a payment arrangement agreement, you must continue to pay your regular electricity bills. If more than one payment is missed on either your payment arrangement plan or regular billing, Oshawa Power reserves the right to cancel the agreement and begin the disconnection process.
If your Oshawa Power account is currently in arrears, you will qualify for AMP unless:
We work closely with social assistance agencies to provide Payment Assistance programs to customers struggling to manage their electricity bills. Whether it is a monthly bill credit or emergency support to eliminate arrears, these programs are designed to help customers stay connected.
The Ontario Electricity Support Program (OESP) is designed to assist lower- and fixed-income households by offering a monthly on-bill credit between $35 and $75 to help make energy bills more affordable.
OESP bill credit amounts are determined based on family size, household income, and energy intensity of your home. Eligible non-seniors will receive a credit for two years before they need to re-apply. For eligible seniors, the re-application process will take place every five years.
As of March 1, 2023, the Ontario Government has invested an additional $50 million in the OESP, increasing income eligibility thresholds and allowing more Ontarians to access support for their electricity bills.
If you move residences while receiving OESP, you must re-apply using your new address.
To learn more about eligibility or apply for the OESP program click here or call 1(855) 831-8151.
LEAP provides customers in arrears with financial assistance to help pay down outstanding account balance.
Eligible customers are eligible for multiple support payments, paid directly to Oshawa Power, up to a maximum yearly amount based upon eligibility criteria. Eligibility criteria are based upon family size, household income, and home heating type. Funding is administered on a first-come, first-serve basis until yearly funds are depleted.
To learn more about eligibility criteria, visit the Ontario Energy Board’s LEAP information page. To apply for LEAP funding, please contact the Community Development Council of Durham (CDCD) at 1 (888) 746-3696 or (905) 686-2661.
The Energy Affordability Program (EAP) is a proactive program that is geared towards lowering your consumption in order to save on your bills. The program offers free energy assessments and upgrades to your home to improve efficiency and lower electricity costs.
Upgrades may include:
If you have received assistance through LEAP or OESP or other government assistance programs in the past 12 months, or are a qualifying low-income customer, you may be eligible for further support.
To get started, call 1 (844) 770-3148 or click here.
In addition to helping with rental arrears, the Housing Stability Program also offers financial assistance to qualified low-income individuals experiencing energy related emergencies.
This program helps those who are usually able to afford their energy costs but due to an unexpected financial burden or unanticipated cost increase have fallen into arrears and are unable to pay their gas or electricity bills. Applicants may be eligible to access up to two months’ worth of gas or electricity costs.
To learn more or apply, please contact the Region of Durham at (905) 666-6239 ext. 1803.
The Rainy Day Fund at Shine Through the Rain Foundation may be able to assist with overdue utility bills if you are diagnosed with life-threatening illness.
Click here to learn more.
Are you looking to simplify your monthly budgeting? We offer a convenient Budget Billing plan that divides your annual energy costs into 12 equal monthly payments based on your home’s previous electricity consumption. Twice per year the difference between your actual and estimated usage will be reconciled on your bill to factor in seasonal changes.
To get started with Budget Billing, access our Budget Billing form below.
Sign UpThe Ontario Energy Board developed a list of rules, including for payment plans and disconnection, to ensure all consumers across the province are treated fairly. Review customer service rules for electricity from the Ontario Energy Board to understand repayment options and arrangements, special rules for low-income customers, and more.
To learn more about your rights and protections as a customer in Ontario, visit the OEB’s website.
